Commenting on media reports saying that Moscow can face new sanctions over its operation in Syria, Russian presidential spokesman noted that "these sources were not confirmed"

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov

SOCHI, October 9. /TASS/. The European Union’s sanctions against Russia in connection with the operation in Syria are not discussed, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Kremlin is unaware of this. I have not seen such statements," he said. "On the contrary, there were statements that this is a completely different issue. The issue of sanctions in the context of Syrian developments is not discussed in any way."

Commenting on media reports saying that Moscow can face new sanctions over its operation in Syria, Peskov noted that "these sources were not confirmed." "Most likely, these type of reports that cite such sources fill the information space now and should be treated very carefully," the spokesman noted.

Peskov was asked to comment reports citing sources saying that Saudi Arabia may provide assistance to the Syrian opposition in its fight against government forces and Russian forces. The Kremlin spokesman said: "We will not comment on sources. Sources lie."

Earlier reports also said, quoting a European diplomatic source, that the European Union is not discussing the issue of imposing additional sanctions on Russia over the situation in Ukraine or in Syria. "No, the issue of additional sanctions is not on the agenda now. The situation in Ukraine is showing signs of progress, while Russian actions in Syria need to be analyzed more thoroughly," the source said.

The diplomat reminded that the issue of extending economic sectoral sanctions against Russia will be discussed in January 2016, when the existing package of restrictive measures expires. In accordance with the EU summit’s decision in June, the condition for lifting sanctions in the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.